Chapter 72: Hometown Part 5

Is there anything that you need to protect?

As one lived their life, they would inevitably find something they wanted to protect without even realizing it, something they wanted to hold tightly in their embrace, even at the cost of their own life.

For some, it was their beliefs; for others, it was their feelings; and for others still, it was their family, friends, teachers, or people.

Among these people, each once held something different in their hearts and everyone was constantly being tested.

To protect something, one had to make sacrifices, and if they failed to protect it, they had to mourn the loss.

And whether they succeeded or failed in protecting it, life continued…

My dignity… is dying…

Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun had to protect her dignity…

“The interrogation of Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon will be entrusted to the Warrior Commander of the Red Palace. The Vice General should also go to the Red Palace to ensure the matter is handled well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She held her breath and pressed her elbows tightly against her sides. She was trying to support her weakening posture, but such desperate measures had their limits.

However, she couldn’t lift her skirt or honestly reveal the situation and limp away in front of the numerous high officials gathered here…

What a heartless world this is.

Even if she had an ally like Seol Tae Pyeong who was as strong as a thousand army horses, not even he could do anything about this.

“Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong should also actively participate in the investigation of the Red Palace and make sure the wrongdoings of the Under Councilor are made clear. Also, I will personally praise the merits of those who contributed to protecting the life of Crown Prince Hyeon Won, so bring them to my palace.”

Through this incident, Seol Ran was elevated to a position nearly equivalent to that of a senior maid for her merit in saving Crown Prince Hyeon Won.

Not only did she gain trust as someone who would never harm Crown Prince Hyeon Won, but she also took on the role of a maid in the Crown Prince’s palace in addition to her duties at the Great Prison Hall…. With this, she began her illustrious path to becoming the new Heavenly Maiden.

It was truly a cause for celebration, but Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun couldn’t think that far.

Her skirt had slipped down a tier.

At that moment, the expression of Headmaid Lee Ryeong who was bowing behind her turned grim.

This capable headmaid of hers instantly realized the dangerous situation her mistress was in…

But there was nothing she could do!

No matter what, while the Emperor was speaking, a mere headmaid could not intervene…

She could only break out into a cold sweat.

“Additionally, Strategist Hwa An and Chief Councilor In Seon Rok, recommend someone to replace Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon as the new Under Councilor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

In such a solemn situation where state affairs were being handled, who in the world could interrupt the Emperor’s words and interfere…

However, step by step, the time of death approached. If Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun’s skirt continued to restrict her freedom, she would openly rebel against this unjust world and seek her own path to survival…

“And lastly, Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun. I heard you faced a life-threatening situation during this recent Moon Demonic Spirit incident. Despite the chaos, you still came out to this palace to assess the situation──”

“Ugh… I feel dizzy…”

Thud

In the end, Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun had only one option left.

The frail Heavenly Maiden could not overcome the fatigue of a long outing and collapsed from dizziness… this was the only way out.

“Your Highness!”

“He-Heavenly Maiden…! Damn it! Call a physician!”

The high officials realized the gravity of the situation and quickly stood up from their seats.

Even the general-level officials jumped up to check on the Heavenly Maiden’s condition, but the first to react was Headmaid Lee Ryeong, who had been attending to her from behind.

“Th-The maids of the Heavenly Dragon Palace will handle this! M-Move quickly!”

The maids followed Headmaid Lee Ryeong’s orders, rushed into the audience chamber, and supported the collapsed Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun.

In the midst of this, Headmaid Lee Ryeong quickly grabbed Ah Hyun’s waist and tightened her grip.

Watching Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun being carried out with her eyes tightly shut, Seol Tae Pyeong sighed in relief.

Please. Give it a rest, Yeon Ri.

Seeing Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun being carried out with a pained expression on her face, Seol Tae Pyeong couldn’t help but have that inner monologue in his mind.

“…Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong.”

After the meeting, the old Strategist Hwa An returned to his room and repeated that name several times.

He barely became an adult and yet he had already become a military official of the Lower Third Rank. It was highly likely that he would remain a significant figure within the Cheongdo Palace until the day Hwa An died.

He had known that Seol Tae Pyeong was exceptionally skilled for his age, but he never imagined that he would rise so quickly.

After sitting on the wooden table and shaking his head for a while to organize his thoughts, Strategist Hwa An took out several bamboo scrolls and spread them out.

…Before I could even act, they had already imprisoned that bastard Shim Sang Gon.

Strategist Hwa An knew that Shim Sang Gon was the one behind the Black Moon Unit.

He was just contemplating how he could use that fact to his greater political advantage.

He had intended to take down Chief Councilor In Seon Rok, who was continually undermining his influence, along with Shim Sang Gon, but Seol Tae Pyeong’s intervention had thwarted his plan.

Is he a naturally brave man? He didn’t seem intimidated even in front of the high officials. Is he fearless… or just reckless…

What was certain was that Seol Tae Pyeong had some connection with the Heavenly Maiden.

Since Shim Sang Gon had failed to delve into that aspect, he was ultimately stabbed in the back and left to disappear from the political landscape of Cheongdo Palace.

When he thought about it, a few years ago during a high council meeting, Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun had written a petition for that military officer, and when that military officer first entered the palace, she had moved to prevent his execution.

All of it was such a distant memory that it was hard to recall everything, but after sifting through some records, he managed to find what he was looking for.

Bright Moon General is under the protection of the Heavenly Dragon Hall… I need to look into this further. Come to think of it, wasn’t that newly appointed official working in the Ministry of Justice also from the White Immortal Palace?

Strategist Hwa An looked through the records and collected information about Seol Tae Pyeong.

And among the names he found, one stood out as particularly useful.

An official working in the Ministry of Justice.

A man named Wang Han.

There was a crisis that almost permanently ruined Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun’s dignity, but the rest of the matter was handled well in the audience chamber.

The investigation into Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon proceeded smoothly, and it didn’t take long for him to disappear into oblivion.

He argued his innocence until the day he stood on the execution platform, but the world did not believe Shim Sang Gon’s words.

Drawing a sword against the Crown Prince in Cheongdo Palace was a treason so severe that it not only condemned him but also implicated his entire family.

And so, the name of Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon was erased from the history of Cheongdo Palace.

Before the descent of the Plague Demonic Spirit.

One of the high officials who continued their power struggles until the fall of the imperial city disappeared.

Thud, thud, thud!

The Black Moon Unit members and their leader Cheong Jin Myeong were imprisoned, subjected to flogging, and had to atone for their crimes through long periods of hard labor.

Although they were spared the severe charge of attempting to kill the crown prince, the fact that they had been deceived by the Under Councilor and nearly harmed the crown prince carried significant weight.

However, Cheong Jin Myeong’s decision not to use his sword at the last moment played a major role in saving them from the death penalty.

And so, the Black Moon Unit managed to survive.

Thud, thud, thud!

In the early morning,

About a week after the incident, the heavy sound of footsteps echoed through the underground prison of the Great Prison Hall.

The members of the Black Moon Unit who were all imprisoned in separate cells, as well as Cheong Jin Myeong who was sitting with his hands tied behind his back, were all compelled to open their eyes.

Eventually, a young boy appeared through the deep darkness of the underground prison.

In his hands… he held a large bunch of keys that could open the prison cells.

“Are you Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong?”

When the boy confirmed the name in front of Cheong Jin Myeong’s cell, he received a silent nod in return.

“I am Bi Cheon, the adjutant of Bright Moon General Seol. The Heavenly Maiden has considered the situation and appealed to His Majesty. While attempting to harm the Crown Prince because of a moment of poor judgment is a grave crime, His Majesty is willing to give you a chance to prove your loyalty once more.

With these words, apprentice warrior Bi Cheon unlocked the cell where Cheong Jin Myeong was imprisoned.

Cheong Jin Myeong who was watching the scene couldn’t believe his eyes. Although it had been concluded that he had no ill intentions toward the Crown Prince, he couldn’t believe that someone who had almost harmed the Crown Prince was being released so easily.

“You will be assigned to the Hwalseong District, where you will be tested for your loyalty by the Bright Moon General. You are to serve Cheongdo Empire with all your might.”

Hwalseong District was the fiefdom where General Seol Tae Pyeong collected taxes. But it was essentially his territory.

Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong and his Black Moon subordinates were to serve under the Bright Moon General to ensure their survival.

It was a desperate struggle to stay alive but the fact remained that they had drawn their swords against the Crown Prince.

It was unbelievable that they could retain their lives despite committing such a grave crime.

“Where is… the General…?”

“Show respect. As of today, the Bright Moon General is your superior.”

“…Where is the Bright Moon General?”

“He has personal business and has gone to the inner palace for a while. Black Moon Leader, you should head to Hwalseong District first. Of course, the Black Moon Unit members will accompany you.”

Hwalseong District was spread out on the outskirts to the northwest of the imperial capital.

The Black Moon Unit looked down from the cliffs of the surrounding hills. They couldn’t help but feel mixed emotions.

The wide plains below couldn’t be called fertile land even in the most flattering terms, and from a distance, it was clear that the people were all thin and unmistakably impoverished.

Even those who looked somewhat healthy were mostly living a hand-to-mouth life. The place looked more like a destitute slum than a poor village.

After Seol Tae Pyeong became the lord of the fief, he waived the overdue taxes which allowed the people to barely scrape by, but it remained a place where those with harsh lives gathered.

No matter how low one might have fallen in life, no one would want to live in such a place.

“This is now the headquarters of the Black Moon Unit.”

Thud.

Bi Cheon who had set down various luggage on the ground spoke up with a grunt.

There were many supplies and food items that had been received under the Bright Moon General’s orders.

Seol Tae Pyeong’s adjutant Bi Cheon looked young but he had a determined look on his face. He did not seem intimidated even by the rather fierce-looking Black Moon Leader.

One would need such courage to serve a general like Seol Tae Pyeong. Surely, his own martial skills were not ordinary either.

“Take in the view of Hwalseong District. There is much to be done.”

From a distance, the only somewhat decent-looking building was Seol Tae Pyeong’s mansion.

Everything else was mostly shabby and falling apart.

To function properly as a territory, Hwalseong District needed many skilled workers and a significant amount of simple labor.

“I heard that the Black Moon members used to roam the border regions hunting demonic spirits, but in your original hometown, you were all ordinary people who lived by your own skills.”

Among them, there were some blacksmiths, a few gunpowder technicians, one or two proficient in Taoist arts, and quite a few skilled in carpentry or construction.

“Hwalseong District is currently filled with unskilled poor people and uneducated farmers. While we can’t offer you a luxurious house, we can provide a few abandoned houses that you can live in and that can be used as your headquarters… Make this place your home.”

“Did the Bright Moon General order this?”

Apprentice warrior Bi Cheon bowed his head and spoke quietly.

“General Seol simply instructed us to give the Black Moon members a new home.”

At these words, Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong closed his eyes.

After losing his hometown, he spent his life wandering the world and being looked down upon as a demonic spirit hunter.

Unable to find a place to settle, and unable to abandon the Black Moon Unit, he lived a gray life, neither here nor there.

Without any family members left, he lived a life filled with a mechanical sense of duty that ultimately required him to take responsibility for the Black Moon Unit.

Perhaps without even that reason, he might not have found a reason to continue living.

In the end, Cheong Jin Myeong realized he was weaker than he thought.

“It truly is a wretched place.”

Dawn broke early in the morning.

Even in this barren and unremarkable Hwalseong District, the sun rose without fail.

It wasn’t a hopeful sight, nor was it a scene of despair and desolation.

The sun rose like it always did and the people of Hwalseong District picked up their farming tools and headed to their workplaces.

Such was life.

“I agree with that.”

Bi Cheon spoke casually as he gazed at the scenery of the Hwalseong District spread out below the cliff.

“That’s why it’s also the best place to call home.”

“……”

Though he initially wondered what that meant, Cheong Jin Myeong soon felt the wind brushing over him and nodded his head.

If one lost their hometown, they could simply create a new one.

To create a new home meant to build a new foundation there, to accumulate memories and experiences, and to anchor the weight of the heart.

And if one were to build something up, it was best to start from the ground up.

Even though there was nothing remarkable about Hwalseong District, he imagined that under the right ruler, living there to the fullest might transform it into a proper territory.

Perhaps the Black Moon Unit members were also finding their place somewhere in the Hwalseong District. Some might be setting up workshops, while others might find women and settle down as heads of households.

If that were to happen, would the wandering life of a Black Moon Unit member one day be nothing more than a distant memory of a brief period of wandering?

It seemed like a distant future, yet also like a goal that could be within reach soon.

“That’s true. I can’t deny it.”

Cheong Jin Myeong could only let out a dry laugh as he looked up at the vast blue sky.

He recalled the image of that military officer sitting cross-legged on a wooden platform in the cabin on Hwalseong’s hills and grinning at him. He was an unpredictable person, but at least he did not seem to be incompetent or evil.

If someone asked him whether he was someone worthy of loyalty, Cheong Jin Myeong could only nod his head in agreement.

No matter what anyone said, he had to be acknowledged as someone who was born to rule.

“I owe the Bright Moon General a great debt.”

His laughter rang out freely as if to reflect the sense of freedom one feels when looking up at the vast open sky.

But that refreshing laughter lasted only a moment.

The fact that there was a group accepting him, a home to return to, and a place to call his hometown.

Perhaps it was this realization that stirred his heart anew.

Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong bowed his head and remained silent for a while.

Only the expansive landscape of Hwalseong District embraced his shoulders.

Has everything really been resolved?

The major aspects of the assassination plot involving the Crown Prince and the Black Moon Leader seemed to have been settled.

There were still some unsatisfactory parts, but those were for Seol Tae Pyeong to handle.

Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang sat quietly on the porch of the Azure Dragon Palace as she enjoyed the night air.

The Azure Princess loved the sounds of crickets and frogs that filled the courtyard after sunset.

While she was lost in the nocturnal sounds, she would sometimes stare blankly at the moon hanging from the edge of the eaves and feel as though time had stopped.

That vague sensation of floating alone in a dark space. As if nothing in the world mattered.

Whether she liked it or not, she was still a fairy (immortal). The Azure Princess enjoyed quietly savoring that feeling of floating, and tonight she had sent the maids away to relish the tranquility of the late night.

Meanwhile, Seol Tae Pyeong had risen to the high position of Bright Moon General and had begun to involve himself in the politics of Cheongdo Palace by pushing out the Under Councilor.

There would be times when he couldn’t solve everything with sheer force, and there would be times when he would suffer greatly.

In this Cheongdo Palace that was filled with the fishy smell of blood, would that honest and steadfast man be able to stay focused and survive?

“I’m worried.”

She blurted those words out though she didn’t expect a response.

“What are you so worried about?”

“Hic!”

The Azure Princess hiccupped at the familiar voice she heard in her ears and quickly turned to see Seol Tae Pyeong standing in the courtyard.

The Azure Princess was startled and she quickly covered her dazed face with the sleeve of her court robe.

“S-Seol Tae… General Seol, how did you get here without a word…”

“I still hold the position of Inner Swords Commander. Although my responsibilities have increased, it’s not difficult to get permission to visit the inner palace.”

“Th-That’s true… Still, I was a little surprised when you appeared suddenly like that.”

“I apologize if I disturbed your rest.”

“N-No…! No! No you didn’t disturb me at all, so don’t worry.”

The Azure Princess couldn’t help but stammer awkwardly.

After all, it was the first time that Seol Tae Pyeong had shown up to meet her.

She often felt like he harbored some kind of fear toward her and for that reason he kept pushing her away. Though she could guess why, his attitude always hurt her deeply.

When she was younger, his cold demeanor had wounded her so much that she had cried buckets in front of him, but the memory of it now made her kick her blankets even in her sleep.

“Ge-General Seol … did you come to see me?”

“Yes.”

At his response, the Azure Princess quickly pressed her sleeve to her chin. She wasn’t sure what expression she was making right now.

He must have come because he needed permission for his Inner Swords Commander duties. There was no need to get too excited. Seol Tae Pyeong had never visited her for personal reasons before.

However, the Azure Princess had to take a sharp breath following his next words.

“I’ve obtained a precious liquor from the Heavenly Dragon Hall, and I wanted to share it with you, Azure Princess.”

“……!”

It was for a personal reason…!

A reason that couldn’t be more personal…!

Things that happen suddenly can disrupt a person’s cognitive abilities.

The Azure Princess had a hard time deciding what to say as she darted her eyes from side to side.

Meanwhile, Seol Tae Pyeong stepped up from the courtyard and approached the porch.

He was a Lower Third Rank Bright Moon General.

The Azure Princess was still in a much higher position than him, but compared to when he was an apprentice warrior, the gap between them had narrowed down immensely.

Unlike the apprentice warrior who couldn’t speak a word unless he knelt and bowed his head, a Bright Moon General could offer advice to the Azure Princess.

His rise to success was as fast as a wild horse running across the plains.

“I-Is that so… for my sake…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Who are you?

This Seol Tae Pyeong must be an impostor.

Such thoughts crossed her mind as he spoke so boldly to the Azure Princess.

However, to her eyes, he was unmistakably the Seol Tae Pyeong she knew.

Only… his expression seemed heavier than usual.

When she noticed this, the Azure Princess held her breath.

“…Your expression doesn’t look good.”

“Is that so?”

“Even though the matters with the Under Councilor and the Black Moon Unit have been resolved, why do you look so burdened?”

“……”

“The General Seol I know was always brimming with confidence and had the spirited expression of a true man.”

He was also a man who would never seek out the Azure Princess for personal reasons.

However, had there been some change in the man’s feelings? The way he openly addressed the Azure Princess made her worry surge unexpectedly.

And the Azure Princess had an exceptionally good intuition about such things.

“…Ah, is it related to the Moon Demonic Spirit you said you killed?”

“…….”

Did she hit the mark?

Seol Tae Pyeong stood silently for a moment, then poured the liquor he brought into a teacup.

While using a teacup for liquor seemed lacking in romance, once it was poured, the image of the moon floating on its surface gave it a certain charm.

After pouring the liquor, Seol Tae Pyeong also filled a cup for himself and drank it.

It was unusual to see him swallowing alcohol in one go, so the Azure Princess also took a sip of the expensive and rare liquor.

Although the Azure Princess didn’t particularly like alcohol, she could tell at a glance that the fragrant liquor was of the highest quality.

“I just… felt that I’ve received a lot of help from you, Azure Princess, but never properly expressed my gratitude.”

“Is that what you were thinking?”

“Yes. If one doesn’t express their feelings when they can, they might greatly regret it later.”

Having said this, Seol Tae Pyeong put down his cup and quietly looked up at the sky.

As the urgent situation finally settled to some extent, what remained in the corner of Seol Tae Pyeong’s mind was the fading smile of Moon Demonic Spirit Yoran.

The image of the Moon Demonic Spirit who had pushed him until the very end was likely the old Azure Princess from a long time ago that he could not remember.

Indeed, the Azure Princess had been on Seol Tae Pyeong’s side again and again, even in the cyclical flow of this world.

However, her end clearly hadn’t been a good one…Seol Tae-pyeong who watched this could not help but feel a bitter aftertaste until the end.

Because of this, Seol Tae Pyeong poured a drink for the Azure Princess.

It might have been meaningless, and the Azure Princess herself might have been merely puzzled.

Nevertheless, to bring an end to his restless heart, Seol Tae Pyeong spoke sincerely.

“Thank you, Azure Princess. Your constant belief in me has been a great strength.”

Seol Tae Pyeong looked up at the moon as he spoke.

The Azure Princess tilted her head in curiosity at his unexpected words. But soon she smiled softly and answered while holding her cup.

“Such unexpected words.”

The moonlight seemed to embrace the two of them under the cloudless night sky.

And so, the next morning arrived.

Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong led his men into the home of General Seol Tae Pyeong where they all knelt down.

The courtyard was filled with Black Moon Unit members who bowed their heads in unison. They were pledging their loyalty to Seol Tae Pyeong.

The entire Black Moon Unit which was skilled in covert operations and hunting demonic spirits had been absorbed into Seol Tae Pyeong’s command.

It didn’t take long for this news to spread throughout Cheongdo Palace.

Good…

Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun who was sitting in the Heavenly Jade Pavilion smiled upon hearing those news.

Now, in order to implement the next plan… I must recruit Crown Prince Hyeon Won…

Time was running out. The urgent priority was to quickly elevate Seol Tae Pyeong to the position of grand general.

At that moment, Headmaid Lee Ryeong approached and asked her,

“Your Highness, if you are going to stay in the Heavenly Jade Pavilion, shall I bring you some tea and refreshments?”

“……”

“Your Highness?”

“… No more refreshments, just bring some tea.”

“……”

“……”

“N-No, never mind. Just bring some cold water.”

A large wound seemed to have formed in Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun’s heart.

…After all, humans were creatures that developed through their wounds.